The Parasitic Logic of Profit-Making – Joe Brewer

What does it mean to earn a profit in an extractive economy? Simply put, it means to behave like a parasite. All you need do is attach yourself to a nutrient-rich host and suck the value out of it. When the host dies, move on to the next “market opportunity” and never look back.

This logic — the endless hunger to consume and grow — is what drives the global marketplace today. It is a mindset of consumption that chews up communities, steals from the commonwealth of nations, and does not hesitate to destroy the environment. These are considered acceptable byproducts of profit-making in this mindset of insanity.

The sooner we recognize that for-profit entities are designed to behave like cancer in the capitalist economy, the faster we’ll see which rules need to be changed in order to get to the next paradigm. For example, it is helpful to know that modern capitalism began with the Enclosure Movement in Britain as peasant farmers were kicked off their land and forced into wage slavery in nearby factories.

Follow Us

Food for Thought:

Based on 2016 IMF Report the fossil fuel industry extracted $700B (billion) in annual tax payer subsidies. They paid $117 million in campaign contributions and they have 720 lobbyists in Washington, D.C. SOURCE